I didn't know versatile was a synonym for desperate.  Hopefully the meaning here changes in the larger context of the piece.

If he had phrased this "sound bite" as "I will do whatever it takes to contribute to the Seahawks, whether it be wildcat, wedge buster, or water boy" he would be getting kudos for being a team player.  A good attitude plus some hard work can't do him wrong, just mix in some PR savvy.

NFL.com has him listed as a WR, for whatever that's worth.

He clearly has a lot of athletic talent, and if he's willing to play a position other that QB, I think he has a shot at the NFL.

I don't think people are down on him - they'd like to see him succeed. I don't see the comparison to Brady, though.  After being a backup to Brian Griese for a couple years, Brady was a two year starter. I see nothing unusual there.

There have been lots of players who played QB in college, and went to another position in the NFL, sometimes as a receiver, sometimes at another position such as safety. The list of players who were not a starter at QB in college, but who played QB in the NFL has got to be a very short one. The only name that even comes to mind for me is Frank Patrick, who was a backup QB for Green Bay after being a TE his junior and Senior year in college, and that was 40 years ago. I think that would be a lot harder today.

I could see Bates getting a shot as primarily a WR, but who plays a little wildcat. He has talent, there is no question about that.